[Show abstract][Hide abstract]ABSTRACT:
Intravenous (IV) amiodarone hydrochloride has proven to be a very effective antiarrhythmic treatment option for a variety
of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias in adults and paediatric patients. Amiodarone is known to have significant
side effects and these especially include profound hypotension in animals and adults, vasodilatation, negative inotropic effects,
and significant bradycardia especially when administered intravenously. Special caution is warranted in patients with decreased
contractility and end-stage heart failure. We present a case of accidental amiodarone overdose in a newborn treated for atrial
flutter resulting in cardiovascular collapse. The patient could be rescued by rapid initiation of VA-ECMO treatment. The patient
survived without neurological damage.

[Show abstract][Hide abstract]ABSTRACT:
In children with systemic atrioventricular valve disease (SAVVD), reconstructive surgery is the primary goal. However, in cases with severely dysplastic valves or failed repair, valve replacement is the only option. The purpose of this study was to assess the early and late outcome following mechanical valve replacement in SAVVD. Between 1989 and 2003, 31 children underwent mechanical valve replacement (19 St. Jude Medical, 12 Carbomedics) in SAVVD (27 mitral, 3 tricuspid in corrected transposition of the great arteries, 1 common in an univentricular heart) at our institution. The ages ranged from 3 months to 15 years (mean 4 years) and body weight varied between 4.2 and 57 kg (mean 13.3 kg). The size of prostheses ranged between 16 and 31 mm (mean 23.9 mm). The main indication for valve replacement was severe insufficiency of left atrioventricular valve (84%); 84% of the patients had had a previous cardiac operation. The overall hospital mortality was 6.5% The mean follow up was 7.7 years (range 2-13 years). Ninety percent of children represent sinus rhythm, 87% are in NYHA class I. All patients were placed on a regimen of Phenprocoumon aiming to maintain the international normalized ratio (INR) between 3.0 and 4.0. Since 1994, INR self-management of oral anticoagulation was performed either by the patient or his or her parents. There was no anticoagulation-related complication in this patient group. Mechanical valve replacement in left atrioventricular valve disease carries a low operative risk across the spectrum of pediatric age despite previous operations in most cases. Long-term survival and quality of life are good in nearly all cases. The rate of anticoagulation-related complications is very low, especially when INR self management is performed.

[Show abstract][Hide abstract]ABSTRACT:
Plasma leakage is a known complication in the use of a microporous membrane oxygenator in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cases. An oxygenator with a tight fiber offers an alternative whereby plasma leakage can be prevented. We report the use of such an oxygenator in 13 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cases in which no problems were encountered regarding blood trauma and plasma leakage.